Forbidden Passion

Phoebe tensed up on the bed as her first awkward moment hit out of nowhere. Watching Theodore laugh so hard he almost rolled off the bed, she gritted her teeth. "Again!" She couldn't believe her luck was this bad. She used to be good at Minesweeper. Must be Theodore's influence.

Theodore sat up, trying to stop laughing. He leaned against the headboard and watched her start another game.

Phoebe eyed the grid. After her last try, she played it safe and tapped a square cautiously.

Boom, fireworks on the screen again, and a game-over message popped up. Phoebe was stunned.

Theodore laughed even harder beside her.

Phoebe gave up. She tossed her phone aside, pulled the blanket over herself, and said, "I'm done. This isn't fun."

She had wanted to show off, but after hitting mine twice, she was too embarrassed to teach him.

Theodore finally stopped laughing. He picked up his phone and played a few more times, hitting mine every time, which cracked him up.

Theodore said, "Minesweeper's supposed to relieve stress. If you overthink it, it ruins the fun."

Phoebe shot back, "Nonsense!"

But she kind of agreed. Nowadays, there are so many mobile games that people get obsessed with.

People forget that games are meant to entertain and relax.

Theodore glanced at Phoebe, and his phone chimed with a message. He frowned and opened WhatsApp.

Vanessa had sent him a bunch of messages over the past few days, starting with apologies and then playing the victim, saying she was in pain.

Theodore ignored them and tossed his phone aside.

But then a loud video call request popped up.

Phoebe saw Vanessa's call on Theodore's phone. She snapped, "If you won't answer, hang up. It's too noisy."

Theodore glanced at her, worried Vanessa might have an emergency. He reluctantly answered but switched to a voice call.

Vanessa's cautious voice came through, "Theodore, did I wake you?"

Theodore frowned, catching Phoebe's head in his peripheral vision. He replied, "No, I'm still awake."

"I can't sleep because of the pain, Theodore. I feel terrible," Vanessa's voice started to break. "I'm all alone in Lindell Harbor. I want to go back to Kedora." Theodore said patiently, "You should recover first before coming back."

"But I'm so lonely here, Theodore. I know you're still mad at me for not taking care of myself. I won't do it again. Please forgive me. I just love you so much," Vanessa pleaded. Phoebe closed her eyes, trying to block out Vanessa's voice, but she couldn't do anything and just lay there, letting the words seep in.

Vanessa had an edge over her. Vanessa could express her love openly, while Phoebe was used to being reserved.

Theodore couldn't ignore it anymore and sighed. "I'll have Lawton arrange for your transfer back to Kedora tomorrow."

"Okay!" Vanessa, having gotten what she wanted, ended the call without further fuss.

The room went quiet. Theodore put his phone on the nightstand and glanced at Phoebe. "Asleep?"

Phoebe closed her eyes and stayed silent.

Theodore watched her for a bit, then turned off the light and lay down.

The blanket smelled like sunshine and Phoebe's fragrance, which he found comforting.

After lying on his back for a while, he turned and hugged Phoebe from behind.

Phoebe's body tensed, but she didn't dare move.

She felt a strange heat inside her like a fire had been lit, making her mouth dry.

This was rare for her.

With Theodore's warm body against hers, she felt like she might explode, and some erotic images popped into her mind.

Something was definitely off!

Phoebe's body grew hotter, and sweat-soaked her back. She tried to move away, but Theodore pulled her back by the waist. "Why are you moving away?"

Theodore's voice was low and seductive, making her shiver even more. "Don't get so close. It's too hot."

Theodore frowned and touched her forehead. Her temperature seemed normal, but her face was burning.

"What's wrong? Why is your face so hot?" he asked.

Phoebe was frustrated. She wanted to know, too.

Suddenly, she remembered the bowl of medicine Evelyn had given her earlier. 'Could something have been added to it?' Phoebe's mind exploded with realization.

Of course, with Theodore agreeing to stay at Golden Apartment for the first time, Evelyn wouldn't miss the chance to meddle.

Phoebe struggled to contain the heat, pushed Theodore's hand away, and said, "I need to go to the bathroom."

Phoebe's palm was also hot. Even Theodore, slow as he was, realized what was happening. He grabbed her waist and pulled her back.

Phoebe, already weak, fell back into Theodore's arms.

In the dim light, Theodore's eyes shone brightly. "Why go to the bathroom? Don't you have a man?"

Phoebe stared at him in shock.

Theodore cupped the back of her head and kissed her passionately, murmuring against her lips, "Since it's Mom's idea, why not go along with it and make her happy?" Phoebe was speechless.

Her blood boiled, and she pushed Theodore away. His head hit the pillow, and he saw her dart off the bed like a rabbit.

He reached out to grab her but missed.

Barefoot, Phoebe stumbled into the bathroom, locked the door, and leaned against it, gasping for air.

She had underestimated Evelyn. Evelyn had actually put an aphrodisiac in her medicine, not fearing that the drug might clash and poison her.

Phoebe panted heavily, her body growing hotter, feeling like a balloon filled with hot air, ready to burst at any moment.

Suddenly, Theodore knocked on the bathroom door and said, "Phoebe, open the door and let me in to check on you."

Phoebe closed her eyes. She knew she was being dramatic, but she could be forced, just not by the effects of a drug.